The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-11
AN BSGLlsa DsseR GER.
victoriA's Parac. Fxtssded 10 an
Ola Soldier.
Frovidonse, Il. l.. spectsi.


Providonse, X. l.. special.
Seveuty-tws years ago Robert
Tirrell committed crime against
his reigniAs sovereign, King George
Ill, OF England. Three days age
Tirrell. now ninety-three years old
received q royal pardon for his
offense from tho hands OF his Of.
Tended non,roh's granddaughter,
Queen Vistoris; and now, after an
absence of nearly three quarters OF a
century, he is about TO return TO his
native land that no may die among
his kin and again see the places he
knew before compelled 10 go into
exile.
Tirrells crime was one that the
present generation regard very light
ly. He was q soldier in the Butts,
one Of King Georges regiments,
which had just returned from the
United States, whore il had partioi-
pated in the war OF 1872. Tirrell, at
tho age Of twenty, enlisted in this
battalion a few days after its return
TO England, aud was ordered to pro
coed with il TO Belgium some TWEEN
ty-four months later, where Napo-
leon was playing his last stake for
empire. lie was q simple country
lad. aud had been inyeigled into on-
lstment by cunning recruiting SER
gesnt, who had made him drunk aud
then slipped tho Kings shilling into
his pocket, thus enabling him 10
drag the rustic Of 10 the wars in
spite OF his ontreaties.
Tirroll admits that he was a great
coward, and that glory had no at
traction for him. llo was in such
mortal fear Of Bonaparte, whom he
had been taught TO look upon as
anti Christ, that when the troops
were reviewed by the Prince Regent
previous 70 their departure for
France, he stepped from the ranks
a. he who was attervard George Nv
rode dows the line, aud begged 10 bo
allowed 10 20 home. The Prince
called him . poltroon aud passed on.
Being In Gen. Pictou's division,
and encanpod on the banks of tho
river Nivslles, Tirrell, on the 18th
OF Juas. 1915, planned with a con-.
rade 10 escape the impending battle
by deserving. This oomrado was also
an abjss, coward, and trombled at
the prospect Of enoounterins tho
conqueror OF Europe, but being do.
tccted, he was unable 10 got beyond
the lines, aud on the li,h, tho eve OF
The great battle OF Waterloo, his
lear was so great that no deliberately
severed the hamstrine Of his lett leg,
thus cripplipg himself for life. lie
vas taken 10 the medical quarters,
and waterloo was fought and won
without his presence.
Daring tho 100 days occupation Of
Paris this miserable coward was
tried by oOart martial aud sentenced
10 death, The Duke OF Wellington
did not approve the proceeding
when submitted TO him. He thought
tho honorable form Of death from
the muskets Of soldiers was too COED
for the coward. The sentence was
therefore changed, and the cou-
demned was sentenced 10 have the
hamstrisg Of his other leg severed,
and 20 DO kept a prisoner At Fort
Pitt, Chatham, for the balance Of hi.
life. Furthermore, that on ever
anniversary OF Waterloo, he was "a
be takos from his bed and Aoggod
With cate .nine-tails, 100 lashos por
annum.
IL the meantime Tirrcll had better
luck Lilo succeeded in crossing tho
Nivcllos, aud tho next day Tell inLo
the bands of Marshal Ney's DRAGONS
Who 6rst tAbercd him and thon ques.
tioned bin. Having learned tho
cause II has descrtion they had no
use tor him. aud he was allowed 10
take himself "a with terrible cash
in his shoulder. lie dnally sue.
cceded ia reaching Havro, where he
secured u place aboard an American
ship aud came 90 this country. In
Rlehmoad, Va, he married, reared
large family, aud Il now q great.
great grandfather.
Seveniy.two years have been add
ed 10 the march OF time since tho
night when Private Tirrells terror
OF BonapaTio caused him 10 soger bis
connection with the house OF Hano
yer. The klBg whose colors he do.
serted has been moldering in his
mausoleu1 nearly three score years
aud ton; tho Regent who called him
coward has rcigncd aud been dus,
more thaH halt century; 30. too,
that great ogre Napoleon Bona partc,
OF whom no stood in more dread thau
the devil A third monarch Of Rng
land came aud went tho way of all
men, aud smother has sat on tho
throne Of Englsud half q hundred
years, and yot Robert Tirrcll LA.
lived aud h1urished, but dared not
sct foot 90 English soil for fear Of
nce'isf the consequences OF his
crime.
Ihathe night have done 20 with
pcrioo fa'sIy Any time dur nR the
last liiy years there eau be no doubt,
but IiTfoll sould take no chances
WHOM he lived In England there
we're more than 200 oaengos for
which tho prescribed punish menl
wa death, and do.ortion was ono OF
them. Pillorios and oar oroppinq
were still fashionable. Tyburn troe
blotsomed every Monday morning
With straugltd law breakers. and Il
was penal sstvltude 10 damn tho
royal iamily in the hearing of Two
or more lorous. All things con.
sidorcd Tifrjll thought il prudent
not 70 leave American soil Had
biz ohense been committed n low
years before 1915 he could have Oh.
tanned pardon Ia very sbort tims
A. his King, az his iubileo oelehra'
ion, extended tie ssmo clemency "a
ieserters ~ Queen Victori, row az.
ends 10 commemorate the 6itietb
rear Of her reigo.
These psrdons are only granted nj,
ubilees. and A. there had been bu,
three royal jabiloes amoiN he mon